Cheap Car Warranties: 2023 Review

• Factors such as your vehicle’s age, mileage, make, model, as well as your location and choice of plan can affect your extended car warranty costs.
• We’ve found that Endurance, CARCHEX, Protect My Car, CarShield, and autopom! all offer excellent coverage options for an affordable price.
• We recommend that you compare quotes from multiple providers in order to find a reliable, cheap car warranty that fits your unique needs.

Whether you have a shiny new vehicle or a trusty used car, one thing’s for sure – auto repairs can be costly. However, extended warranty coverage can also be expensive. When choosing a coverage plan that meets your needs, it’s best to compare quotes from a few different providers.

Our reviews team spent over 1,475 hours mystery shopping, researching, studying reviews, and surveying past customers of the best extended car warranty companies in the country to find those with the most affordable coverage. In this article, we’ll go over the typical costs of extended warranties, the best providers that offer them, and tips for finding a cheap car warranty to help pay for costly car repair bills.

Extended auto warranties – also referred to as vehicle service contracts – are optional protection plans that cover repairs and replacements parts for your car in the event of a mechanical breakdown.

New cars and certified pre-owned vehicles purchased at a dealership usually come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Also known as a factory warranty, these car warranties cover nearly all of the vehicle’s components, but have low mileage limits and expire after the first few years of the individual car ownership. To continue your protection and peace of mind, you may want to consider purchasing extended coverage.

Manufacturer’s Warranties Vs. Third-Party Providers

Your manufacturer likely offers extended warranty coverage, but you typically can’t buy an extended warranty from your own automaker past a certain date – often the day your limited factory warranty expires.

We recommend considering independent warranty companies because they can offer much more flexibility in coverage options, prices, and mileage limits for more vehicles. For instance, if you’re looking for a used car warranty for your old Honda or Toyota, there are plenty of third-party providers that offer coverage for vehicles up to 250,000 miles and more.

Types Of Extended Car Warranties

When deciding on the kind of coverage you need for your vehicle, you’ll come across two main types of extended warranties, exclusionary and inclusionary.

Exclusionary Car Warranty

Also referred to as a bumper-to-bumper warranty, an exclusionary car warranty covers the vast majority of components and major systems in your vehicle, such as the engine, alternator, drive axle, transmission, electrical systems, air conditioning, and more. 

Rather than a list of covered parts, these warranty contracts come with a list of exclusions, or parts that are not covered. Extended exclusionary warranties are usually the highest level of coverage a car warranty provider offers. However, keep in mind they’re also the most expensive, so explore other options if you want more specific protection for a better price.

Inclusionary Car Warranty

Sometimes called “stated-component warranties,” inclusionary car warranties provide a list of covered components in the contract. There are usually a few tiers of inclusionary coverage to choose from. High-tier inclusionary plans often have comprehensive coverage that’s not quite as extensive as an exclusionary plan. Lower-tier inclusionary contracts tend to resemble basic powertrain warranties.

In addition, some companies offer specialized car warranty plans that cover specific electrical components, which may be of interest if you’re a hybrid or electric car owner.

What’s Not Covered By An Extended Car Warranty?

Extended warranties generally don’t cover routine maintenance such as oil changes or tire replacements. Most warranties also do not cover items that are known to wear out, malfunction, or tear after continued use, such as tires, belts, hoses, brake pads, wiper blades, and the like.

However, some providers offer warranty options that do include specialized maintenance plans, so you pay upfront rather than at the time of maintenance. Another option is to purchase mechanical breakdown insurance from your car insurance company.

Added Perks

The best car warranty companies typically include a number of additional benefits with their service plans, such as:

• 24-hour roadside assistance: This helps with jump-starts, flat tires, fuel delivery, and more.
• Towing services: If your car is inoperable, it will be taken to the nearest authorized repair station.
• Trip interruption coverage: Your meals and lodging will be reimbursed if you break down – typically when you’re 100 miles or more away from home.
• Rental car reimbursement: If you need an alternate car while yours is in the shop, your warranty contract can help cover some of the costs.

Many providers don’t list their prices online because extended car warranty costs fluctuate due to a number of factors. These factors include the following:

• Specific warranty plan: You’ll pay more for higher levels of coverage than more basic coverage plans, such as powertrain warranties.
• Vehicle age and mileage: Warranty coverage for old cars and high-mileage vehicles typically costs more than coverage for newer vehicles.
• Vehicle make and model: Luxury, exotic, and rare vehicles are more expensive to cover under a warranty. In some cases, providers require you to buy specialized coverage for your vehicle, as repair costs can be quite a bit higher.
• Location: Risk factors and regulations vary state by state, so the cost of auto protection could be higher or lower than average depending on where you live.

If you’re curious about how much consumers like you have paid for an extended auto warranty, take a look at the results from our consumer extended auto warranty survey. We asked customers of both third-party and dealership extended warranties about their initial purchase prices.

To determine our ratings for each cheap car warranty provider, we analyze strengths and weaknesses in six key areas. See below for a more detailed look at the criteria we consider.

How We Rated Cheap Car Warranties

To give you the most up-to-date information, we update our review standards several times each year. Our warranty research evaluates providers in the following categories:

Industry Standing

A warranty provider’s industry standing is an important factor we consider in our ratings. We look at a company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, how long it’s been in the industry, and if it’s been awarded for its warranty services. 

Coverage

We consider a provider’s offered protection plans, what they cover, and the variety of options available to consumers when rating a company on coverage. We also take a close look at term and mileage limits, waiting periods for coverage, and extra perks like rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance. 

Cost

We understand that you’re looking for an extended warranty that won’t break your bank. When rating a provider on cost, we mystery shop, survey current warranty owners, comb through sample contracts, and compare total costs for various coverage levels. If a provider offers great coverage at an affordable price, we’ll score them highly.

Transparency

The standards that will earn a company a high score in transparency are simple. If a provider readily offers detailed plan descriptions, sample contracts, and a money-back guarantee to customers, it will receive a high rating in this area.

Customer Service

You will likely appreciate great customer service when filing an extended warranty claim. We consider a provider’s responsiveness to its customers, whether or not it offers a mobile app or online chat feature, and the ease with which you can obtain a quote. We also pore over thousands of customer reviews from consumers like you when rating a provider in this area.

Our research team conducted an industry-wide review of the best extended auto warranty companies and found several high-quality cheap car warranty providers worthy of your time. Our top picks for affordable options are Endurance, CARCHEX, Protect My Car, CarShield, and autopom!. See an in-depth breakdown of each provider below. 

Endurance: Best Coverage

Founded: 2006
Headquarters: Northbrook, Illinois
Coverage options: Six levels of coverage
Coverage terms: Up to 8 years/200,000 miles

Endurance has spent the last 16 years becoming one of the biggest names in the extended auto warranty industry. We think Endurance has the best coverage overall because it handles all of its warranties in-house. Unlike the other options on this list, you won’t deal with a broker for coverage – Endurance is your direct provider.

See the table below for a breakdown of our ratings out of 5.0 for Endurance in each of our review categories, as well as its overall rating:

Endurance Extended Warranty Coverage

Endurance offers six levels of coverage, and each of its warranty plans comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Through our research and obtaining quotes, we found that extended warranties from this provider tend to range from roughly $107 to $163 per month depending on your choice of coverage.

Take a look below at the six coverage options that Endurance offers to consumers:

Endurance Car Warranty Perks

Endurance offers a long list of benefits, including roadside assistance through its Endurance Elite Benefits program. However, these are only included for the first year of your aftermarket warranty contract.

With any Endurance service plan you can expect a quick claims processing, including identity theft protection, and free tire replacement or repair services. In addition, Endurance lets you select any repair shop certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE^®), making the search for a repair facility fairly straightforward.

Endurance Warranty Customer Reviews and Ratings

Endurance is also our top pick because of its record for excellent customer service, with a relatively low volume of customer complaints. While Endurance previously had a B+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the company currently has no rating, as it is addressing complaints directed toward its advertising.

Almost 2,000 customer reviews on the BBB website rate Endurance with 3.5 stars out of 5.0. On Trustpilot, 68 percent of customer reviews are either four or five stars, giving the provider an average star rating of 3.9 out of 5.0.

To see how much you would pay for an Endurance auto warranty, we encourage you to get a free quote. Learn more in our detailed Endurance warranty review.

CARCHEX: Best For Used Cars

Founded: 1999
Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland
Coverage options: Five levels of coverage
Coverage terms: Up to 10 years/250,000 miles

After an in-depth review of CARCHEX, we found that the provider is one of the most reputable companies in the auto warranty industry. A big selling point is that CARCHEX warranties can last up to 10 years/250,000 miles, which is why we awarded the company Best for Used Cars for 2023.

See the table below for a breakdown of our ratings out of 5.0 for CARCHEX in each of our review categories, as well as its overall rating:

CARCHEX Extended Warranty Plans

CARCHEX is considered a broker, which means it partners with top-rated administrators like American Auto Shield and Royal Administration Services to find the best coverage at the lowest rate. The company provides five coverage levels for almost any vehicle, including comprehensive options for new, pre-owned, and hybrid cars.

Here are the five aftermarket car warranty coverage options and what each includes:

CARCHEX offers low or $0 deductibles and won’t require a down payment. We found monthly payments range from about $177 to $222 with the provider. And if you are unsatisfied for any reason, you can also take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Most importantly, the plans are transferable if you decide to sell your vehicle. You pay a $50 transfer fee, and the new owner can enjoy the benefits of your aftermarket warranty coverage. That protection automatically increases the vehicle’s resale value.

CARCHEX Warranty Perks

Every CARCHEX extended warranty plan comes complete with several perks, including:

• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Towing coverage
• Rental cars
• Trip interruption service
• Gas delivery
• Your choice of mechanic

CARCHEX Customer Reviews And Ratings

The Baltimore-based aftermarket car warranty provider maintains an A+ rating with the BBB and consistently ranks high on lists of the top third-party warranty companies. However, customer review ratings are average on its BBB profile. While CARCHEX has a 2.7 star rating through Trustpilot, 85 percent of almost 1,500 reviews gave the provider either four or five stars, which points to a majority of satisfied customers.

Learn more about coverage from CARCHEX by getting a free, personalized quote and reading about the provider in our in-depth CARCHEX review.

Protect My Car: Best Customer Experience

Founded: 2005
Headquarters: Saint Petersburg, Florida
Coverage options: Three levels of coverage
Coverage terms: Up to 200,000 miles

With almost 18 years in business, Protect My Car is based in Florida and offers three levels of coverage for cars under 200,000 miles: Ultimate, Deluxe, and Essential. The Ultimate plan is most similar to bumper-to-bumper coverage, while the Essential plan offers enhanced powertrain coverage. However, keep in mind that Protect My Car does not offer vehicle service contracts in several states, including California and Washington.

See the table below for a breakdown of our ratings out of 5.0 for Protect My Car in each of our review categories, as well as its overall rating:

Protect My Car Extended Warranty Coverage

Our team obtained quotes from Protect My Car and found that its extended warranties typically cost between $98 and $133 per month. See below for more information on the three different coverage plans provided by Protect My Car.

Protect My Car Warranty Perks

Protect My Car extended warranty plans come with several perks, including:

• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Rental car benefits
• Flexible payment terms
• Option to add maintenance coverage
• Your choice of repair facility

Protect My Car Customer Reviews and Ratings

Protect My Car sports an A+ rating from the BBB and a 3.8 out of 5.0-average star rating on the organization’s website. In addition, it boasts a 4.3 out of 5.0 star rating through Trustpilot, with 82% of reviewers awarding the company with either four or five stars. Many reviewers speak of friendly customer service representatives that handle issues quickly, which is why we named it the provider with the Best Customer Experience.

Learn more about Protect My Car’s extended warranty offerings by getting a free quote. You can also learn more in our Protect My Car review.

CarShield: Best Monthly Payments

Founded: 2005
Headquarters: St. Peters, Missouri
Coverage options: Six levels of coverage
Coverage terms: Up to 300,000 miles

CarShield is one of the most popular extended warranty companies on the market. Since its start in 2005, the company’s website says CarShield has covered over two million vehicles and paid out over one billion dollars in administrative claims. CarShield is also an excellent choice for used vehicle warranties, as its contracts can cover cars for up to 300,000 miles.

See the table below for a breakdown of our ratings out of 5.0 for CarShield in each of our review categories, as well as its overall rating:

CarShield Extended Warranty Coverage

Though some of CarShield’s plan options spread the total cost out across 24 months, CarShield also offers month-to-month payment plans. This means you could keep your coverage for as long as it’s convenient, which could help you save money. We’ve named it the provider with the Best Monthly Payments for this reason. Most CarShield extended vehicle warranties range from about $110 to $200 monthly.

In total, CarShield has six coverage levels for consumers to choose from. Most CarShield aftermarket car warranty plans can be transferred, and we like how you can select a month-to-month contract. See below for a more detailed breakdown of each plan.

CarShield Warranty Perks

Most CarShield extended warranty plans include perks such as:

• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Towing
• Rental cars
• Flexible payment plans
• Your choice of mechanic

CarShield Customer Reviews and Ratings

CarShield currently has a D rating from the BBB due to unresolved complaints and reported instances of misleading advertising. However, CarShield has over 36,000 reviews and a 4.0 out of 5.0 star rating on Trustpilot. In addition, 76 percent of customers gave it either a four or five star review. Positive reviews mention the ease of CarShield’s claims process and excellent customer service.

See how much it would cost for your vehicle to be covered by CarShield by obtaining a free quote, and read more in our complete CarShield review.

autopom!: Best Claims Process

Founded: 2009
Headquarters: Lake Forest, California
Coverage options: Three levels of coverage
Coverage terms: Up to seven years/150,000 miles

autopom! has been in the extended warranty business for 10 years. We like how this company focuses on providing a smooth claims process and top-notch customer service, which is why we named it as the provider that offers the Best Claims Process.

See the table below for a breakdown of our ratings out of 5.0 for autopom! in each of our review categories, as well as its overall rating:

autopom! Extended Warranty Coverage

This provider has three levels of coverage, and coverage levels may be different in the state of California in comparison to the rest of the nation. Our research shows that an autopom! extended warranty costs anywhere from $130 to $160 per month, but keep in mind that your costs may vary depending on various factors. 

autopom! offers a 30 or 60-day money-back guarantee depending on your choice of plan. See the table below for more information on its offered coverages.

autopom! Car Warranty Perks

All plans come with some additional coverage perks, such as:

• 24/7 roadside assistance
• Rental car coverage
• Your choice of repair facility

autopom! Customer Reviews and Ratings

autopom! has an A+ rating with the BBB and a 4.6 out of 5.0-star customer rating, but that’s coming from only 40 customer reviews. Reviews on Trustpilot are also largely positive, with a 4.8 out of 5.0 star rating based on more than 160 customer ratings.

Get a free, personalized quote for an autopom! extended warranty to see what you would pay. You can also check out our full autopom! review to learn more information about the provider.

When shopping for extended vehicle protection plans, there are a few things you can do to keep the cost of coverage down, such as: 

• Compare quotes from multiple providers. Most extended car warranty companies have website tools or other ways to contact customer representatives to get free quotes. Comparing quotes from several providers can give you a sense of the coverage costs for your vehicle.
• Ask about discounts. Most providers offer discount opportunities with varying eligibility requirements. Even if you don’t see a discount advertised on a company’s website, it never hurts to ask.
• Negotiate for a better deal. You can negotiate with your car coverage provider to get a better price. Don’t be afraid to haggle.
• Read the contract. Hidden fees or complicated deductible policies may be hidden deep in your warranty contract. Read all of the fine print to make sure you know exactly what your warranty covers – and to avoid getting caught up in any scams.
• Purchase your warranty directly from a provider. Buying your coverage plan from a reputable extended car warranty company will save you money, as dealerships often mark up prices in order to make a higher commission.
• Purchase it soon. The longer you wait to buy extended car coverage, the more costly it’s likely to be. Keep in mind that older cars that have higher mileage are more expensive to cover.

In this article, we highlighted some of our top picks for cheap auto warranties and their coverage plans, reviews, and perks. Each company we reviewed has an affordable selection of coverage options with various terms that can suit your specific needs. However, we recommend comparing quotes from multiple providers to get the best deal.

Below are some frequently asked questions about the cheapest auto warranties: